Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon) recently revealed that while the cast knows the fate of Rhonda and Anika, they won’t be revealing any solid details until Season 3 premieres on September 21. Yes, I may watch this episode again on mute just to admire them once more…and/or attempt to make a supercut of every Cookie fur-wearing scene and imagine all those coats appearing in my own closet this fall.
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In an Empire season 3 premiere behind-the-scenes video, Grace Gealey, who plays Anika, and Kaitlin Doubleday, who plays Rhonda, talk about the balcony fight between Anika and Rhonda that ended Empire season 2. “I can’t imagine saying goodbye to either one of them”, she expressed. But just as Andre realizes what happened and starts screaming at Anika for killing his wife, Anika’s water breaks. He told her that the family is going to say Rhonda’s death was self defense and that Anika better keep her part of the bargain and not reveal any information about Lucious to the Feds.
The outlet tried to press Chaiken to spill some of the Easter Eggs that viewers have always been wanting to discover about the premiere of “Empire” season three, but the EP was quick to fend off the tricky questions. She also wouldn’t be able to testify against Lucious as his brother, federal agent Tariq, closes in.
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In the delivery room, with cops outside the door, Anika pushes. Rhonda and Andre had already suffered a miscarriage after Anika pushed Rhonda down the stairs; Empire viewers looking for Anika to get her karmic comeuppance will have to wait a little longer. “Empire’s falling to the bottom of the ocean, man”, he says. Lucious is trying to get them to sign on to his new streaming service. Lucious leaves the table without signing a deal with any of them, but threatens they’ll regret it when Empire X Stream takes over all of Times Square. Lucious put his name on the baby’s birth certificate. Seeing Cookie and Lucious’ first look at each other is kind of adorable. But I can honestly say I was so happy to see Lucious’ face when he found out that Anika lied and had a girl instead of the golden heir he originally thought. And if need be, he’ll go after Cookie and the kids.
